HARRISBURG, Pa. – Seven educators from Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg will be honored with the 2025 Golden Apple Award. The highest recognition given by the Diocese to principals and teachers, this honor commends the educator’s professional excellence, leadership, commitment to Catholic values, and devotion to teaching in a Catholic school.
“Congratulations to our seven remarkable educators who have been honored with the Golden Apple Award,” said Bishop Timothy Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg. “This award, while a recognition of your hard work and dedication, also symbolizes your unwavering commitment to shaping young minds and nurturing future leaders within the Diocese of Harrisburg. You have gone above and beyond, inspiring your students and colleagues alike with your passion, creativity, and faith. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor with you.”
The 2025 Golden Apple recipients for the Diocese of Harrisburg are:
- MaKathy Donley, Mathematics Teacher, Trinity High School, Camp Hill
- Elizabeth Gensemer, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Saint Joan of Arc School, Hershey
- Anna Nissley, Instructional Support Teacher, Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg
- Laura Sabold, Kindergarten Teacher, Saint Rose of Lima School, Thomasville
- Jill Seymore, Kindergarten Teacher, Saint Teresa of Calcutta School, Hanover
- Mandy Willard, Kindergarten Teacher, Saint Francis Xavier School, Gettysburg
- Margaret Snyder, Principal, Our Mother of Perpetual Help School, Ephrata
Each Golden Apple recipient receives a certificate of achievement, a $5,000 cash award, a golden apple plated in 24-carat gold, and an individual photo with Bishop Senior.
In the Diocese of Harrisburg, nearly 10,000 students are enrolled at 33 schools. High School students in the Diocese typically have a graduation rate over 98% and annually are offered more than $40 million in scholarship funds.
The Golden Apple Awards Program was established through the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation, Inc., located in Pittsburgh, Pa., Jack and Rhodora Donahue are parents of 13 children; all were educated in Catholic schools. The Donahues were eager to express their deep appreciation to Catholic school teachers for providing quality academic and faith-filled education for their children. They established the awards program in Pittsburgh in 1992. To learn more about the Golden Apple Awards or Catholic Education visit www.GoCatholicSchools.org.
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The Diocese of Harrisburg was established on March 3, 1868. It has 88 parishes, 6 missions, 2 communities, 33 Catholic schools, and is home to approximately 201,000 registered Catholics throughout its 15 counties. To learn more about the Diocese and its ministries, visit www.hbgdiocese.org.
